Great trail and steps, thanks to CFI. Yes, the switchbacks are (as Roach says)"memorable" and "relentless!" I liked the nice, solid rock formation at the summit - first I've seen in eight 14ers. Descent through Elkhead Pass - GREAT VIEW from the saddle, and much gentler slope was kind to my knees!

My wife and I hiked Mt. Belford (also Mt. Oxford) from the Missouri Gulch trail head for our 4th and 5th 14ers and first double. We got caught by grapple snow on the return to Belford and then rain as we descended via Elkhead Pass.

Hiked up the west slope via the Missouri Gulch trail. Planned on heading over to Oxford, but got a later start than hoped for and the weather was starting to look a little iffy so just did Belford and Oxford will have to wait another time.

Another glorious day in the Colorado high country. Fellow SPer Patrick Vall and I had plans to climb Missouri Mountain but this years snowfall left a huge snowload on the mountain as well as nasty cornices at the top. Figured the better part of valor was to save that one for a better day and get in some trail time to Belford. Few snowfields but a very nice summit day - breezy and cold though...

We climbed the northwest couloir at 8am and summited at 10:30. We said our vows, exchange rings and then ripped a double helix down the soft buttery couloir! It was by far our best 14ner descent. We got married in the grandest cathedral of all!

This was my first climb of Belford & Oxford. I came down Belford Gulch with someone I met on the trail rather than go back over Belford. There was a trail which faded out. We then got to bushwack back along the creek to the bridge on the Missouri Gulch trail. I wouldn't recommend this return unless it was to escape some lightning.

Camped on the east face of the saddle just below the summit. Sleeping at 14K is tough. I felt better in the morning after a long rough night with subzero temps and 30-40mph winds. We went on to bag Oxford around noon. Sprained the ankle on the way down and it looks like a softball today. Part of the job I guess. Went up with Brian Smith who was on the Mountain Madness Everest Summit Team and summited in May. Lots of cool stories of the couple months he spent there. Wanted to do Missouri but we were too spent considering the conditions.

Well, I made it up to BELFORD, but not OXFORD!!! Grrrr!!! I really tried but the weather was too threatening. See a 30-sec. clip of my effort off the Belford summit in my trip report or on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCNNa-3A7GU

Left the Missouri Gulch Trail at the Mount Belford\Elkhead Pass trail junction, headed east up the slope of Pecks Peak, then traversed the ridge to Belford's summit. A windy day, but no clouds anywhere made for great views everywhere. Headed over to Oxford and came back down the standard Belford trail.